Notice of Request for Qualifications

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (Formerly, “Rolling RFP”)

Now, more than ever, diminishing HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Community Development Block Grant and Workforce Housing funds demand that awards for affordable housing development meet the needs of the targeted populations and neighborhoods identified in the Department’s 2013-2017 Consolidated Plan. Typically, the Department awards funds through a Request for Proposal process which allows the Department to direct funding to the greatest need. At the same time, the Department recognizes the need to seize affordable housing opportunities as they arise; for this purpose, a Request for Qualification (RFQ) process was developed (formerly, “rolling rfp”), which allows for the prequalification of potential respondent organizations. “Request for Qualifications” is the application process for designation of qualifying non-profits as Affordable Housing Development Organizations (AHDOs) or Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs). The RFQ establishes the prequalification requirements which must be met by respondent organizations prior to submitting proposals for development of affordable housing; the affordable housing development proposal is a separate process and utilizes the Affordable Housing Application and Policy Based Ranking Matrix documents. The RFQ and its accompanying attachments may be found on the Department’s website.

Before undertaking the RFQ process and any subsequent proposal for funding:

1. Respondent Organizations (a non-profit organization or public agency, which has submitted a proposal for the development of affordable housing in response to a Request for Proposal or an application in response to the Request for Qualification), which have not been prequalified previously by the Department, must qualify for either the AHDO or CHDO designation prior to submitting a proposal for the development of affordable housing; thereafter, the organization will be required to recertify its designation with each subsequent proposal for the development of affordable housing.

2. Non-profits, currently certified as AHDOs or CHDOs by the Department,

shall have their designated status recertified at the time of each project award.

3. A mandatory pre-proposal meeting with Community Development (CD) staff is required prior to submitting a request for affordable housing development funding through this RFQ process. AHDOs and CHDOs are required to present their affordable housing project in-person to CD staff for evaluation. Based on funding availability, need and project viability, CD staff will advise presenters whether or not to proceed with a funding proposal.

4. The RFQ process shall remain open and does not have a due date. The Department shall continue to publish requests for proposal throughout the year and may obligate the entirety of its federal and local funds through this process. Designation as an AHDO or CHDO is not a contractual commitment on behalf of the city for any future work on any affordable housing development project or for any funding opportunity.